The information provided below is based on a list published in Giving USA Update, Issue 1, 1994, a publication of the American Association of Fund-Raising Counsel, Inc. (25 West 43rd Street, New York, NY 10036; phone 212-354-5799).

If an organization is a charitable organization or nonprofit, it should be registered with the State Registry of Charitable Trusts and a copy of the organization's IRS Form 990 should be on file. The IRS Form 990 contains information about the amount of money the organization gives away each year. If the amount of money they take in from application fees exceeds the amount of money they give away in scholarships, students aren't being well-served by the organization.